Thursday, July 9, 2026 Every July, a wave of federal benefit payments resets for the new benefit year — and 2026 brings one of the biggest shifts in years. Between a permanent 25% boost to the old GST/HST credit, a fresh Canada Child Benefit increase, and the largest quarterly OAS bump of the year, millions of Canadian households will see different numbers land in their accounts this month. Here's what actually changed, and what to check in your own CRA account. The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . It's not a new program from scratch — it runs on the same CRA infrastructure and eligibility rules — but the payment amounts are 25% higher, and that increase is locked in for five years. The first CGEB payment went out on July 3, 2026. Under the new structure: A single individual with no children can receive up to roughly $679 per year (about $170 per quart...
Common Credit Card Mistakes
Here are some common credit card mistakes that even high-credit score mavens make:
1. Carrying a balance: Carrying a balance on your credit card can lead to high-interest charges and negatively impact your credit score 1.
2. Using most or all of your credit limit: Using most or all of your credit limit can increase your credit utilization ratio, which can negatively impact your credit score 1.
3. Taking cash advances: Cash advances usually come with high fees and interest rates, making them an expensive way to borrow money 1.
4. Making late payments: Late payments can lead to late fees, increased interest rates, and negatively impact your credit score 1.
5. Chasing rewards: Chasing rewards can lead to overspending and carrying a balance on your credit card, which can negatively impact your credit score 1.
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